Into the stretch run of the NFL season here is what we know right off the top: San Francisco is the best overall team in football. When they want to be the Giants are better than anyone, the Patriots offense can’t be stopped, Houston is solid in all three phases of the game, Atlanta is a little less than that and Denver is dangerous. Everyone else? Enjoy the ride because I do not know where it will take you.

1.San Francisco 49ers—Kaepernick’s ceiling is high.

2.New England Patriots—Scoring their way to another Super Bowl.

3.Atlanta Falcons—Unimpressive in Tampa.

4.Houston Texans—They are good. Ya don’t get that kind of analysis everywhere!

5.New York Giants—Better than anyone off a bye.

6.Denver Broncos—If the defense is good, that team can be great!

7.Baltimore Ravens—Defense carries the day without Ray.

8.Green Bay Packers—Giants exploited their injury losses.

9.Tampa Bay Buccaneers—Could have beaten the Falcons but not ready to.

10.Chicago Bears—Cutler, home field and Vikings make all the difference.

11.Cincinnati Bengals—I like this team!

12.Pittsburgh Steelers—Without Big Ben they may not be post season caliber.

13.New Orleans Saints—Had their chance against San Francisco –didn’t get it done.

14.Washington Redskins—Shanny premature in his post season assessment?

15.Dallas Cowboys-They never lose on Thanksgiving—do they?

16.Minnesota Vikings—If they get Harvin back they go to another level!

17.Indianapolis Colts—They are wild card contenders in the shallow AFC.

18.Seattle Seahawks—Not road warriors.

19.Detroit Lions—See Dallas.

20.San Diego Chargers—Good office space will be available soon.

21.Miami Dolphins—Nice first season for Joe Phillbin and company.

22.Philadelphia Eagles—Okay, it’s really, really bad.

23.Tennessee Titans—The coordinators will go first.

24.New York Jets—See Philly.

25.St Louis Rams—Following a pummeling by Jets with pounding of Cardinals.

26.Carolina Panthers—A win at Philadelphia doesn’t mean what it once did.